Description

General - erect shrub up to 2 m high with purplish branchlets which are hairless; often appearing in clumps

Leaves - alternate; egg-shaped, elliptic or somewhat obovate, tapered at both ends; margins finely sharp-toothed almost to the base; no glands on the leafstalk; both surfaces hairless.

Flowers - single or in loose clusters of 4 or less; flower stalks hairless; individual flowers approx. 2 cm in diameter, with 5 white petals; appearing in May and early June.

Fruit - purplish-black, berry-like, about 1 cm long; ripening in July and August.

Habitat

Occasional throughout NW Ontario's boreal forest and other forest types, occurring in a variety of forest habitats, primarily on dry to moist mineral soils; also along sandy stream banks and lakeshores.

Notes

May be confused with the Choke Cherry if flowers and fruit are absent. The Choke Cherry has 1 or 2 glands on the leafstalk near the junction with the blade. The Mountain Juneberry is distinguised from other Arnelanchier's by finer-toothed, elliptic leaves and sparser flower clusters.

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